Stroke is one of the leading causes of death & disability worldwide, and India bears a large chunk of this burden. India’s disease profile has changed over the past decades as it reduces the impact of communicable diseases and NCDs emerge as a new frontier for public health action.
India’s large diversity of languages, geography, health systems, and people represent over a billion people who are at the risk of stroke in the next couple of decades. India’s population is relatively young – which is also the best time to build behaviours that address modifiable risk factors and help improve the odds to live lives free from stroke.
IFI Foundation, a new non-profit launched in India in 2023, is building a coalition of clinical and non-clinical stakeholders to foster and coordinate a large scale comprehensive response to improve stroke prevention, response, and post-stroke care and rehabilitation.
IFI Foundation’s health literacy collaboration Swasthya Plus Network represents South Asia’s largest health media network – creating and sharing evidence-based health content that reaches over 10 million people every month in 17 South Asian languages on social platforms like YouTube. IFI Foundation aims to redouble the public education & awareness effort to empower millions of people with the ability to spot strokes and save lives, as well as support stroke survivors with educational content they can trust and benefit from.
“The blending of learnings in behaviour change communication and new digital technologies provide a new frontier for us to prevent the risk of stroke among population groups and encourage healthier habits among young people. We’re excited to explore how we can build this healthy future for young people in India & beyond,” shares Sidharth Rath, the Executive Director of IFI Foundation.
IFI Foundation is kicking off its coalition for stroke response with World Stroke Day 2023, bringing together an initial set of partners in Odisha, India – working with India’s leading public health stakeholders as well as regional government departments and stroke care facilities.
For more information on IFI Foundation, visit: www.ifi.org.in